Cottage Grove: Man found in car died of injuries, hypothermia, autopsy says

A man who was found dead in Cottage Grove died from a combination of accidental injuries and hypothermia, according to autopsy results.

Dallas Gilbert Jensen, 66, was found in a parked car in his driveway in the 8800 block of Hamlet Avenue just before 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, police reported.

"The preliminary investigation indicates that the cause of death was from an accidental fall," a statement from Cottage Grove police said Tuesday. "The victim was able to make it into his vehicle where he was later found by family members."

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner determined Jensen died from trauma caused by falling and hypothermia. His death was ruled an accident, police said.

Temperatures on Monday dipped to 20 degrees and never topped freezing, according to the National Weather Service.

The person who called police to report finding Jensen said he was "obviously dead," the police statement said.

Paramedics arrived and confirmed it.

Police believe Jensen may have fallen more than once but said they aren't sure yet where he fell and don't have any witnesses.

"It looks like he was ready for work and he usually goes to work in the morning," police spokeswoman Gail Griffith wrote in an email. "He was found around 4:30 p.m. His car was in the driveway with him in it. Keys were not in the ignition."

Joseph Lindberg can be reached at 651-228-5513. Follow him at twitter.